Changes to stay-at-home orders for regional NSW

Published
Please note that the information in this article was accurate at time of publication and is subject to change. Visit the NSW Government website for the latest advice and information.


Stay-at-home orders have been reintroduced to suburbs Taree, Forster, Tuncurry (and surrounding suburbs with postcode 2428 or 2430), plus, Casino, Gunnedah, Kyogle, Lismore, Narromine, Oberon, Snowy Monaro Regional and Muswellbrook local government areas (LGAs) until Monday 11 October due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health risk.

These stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in Oberon LGA since 20 September, Kyogle LGA since 21 September, Muswellbrook and Snowy Monaro Regional LGAs since 22 September, Casino LGA since 24 September, suburbs under postcodes 2428 and 2430 and Gunnedah LGA since 27 September plus Lismore and Narromine LGAs since 28 September.

See the NSW Government website for a full list of regional and rural NSW areas which are subject to stay-at-home orders.

Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason. More information on restrictions can be found on NSW Health’s website. 

It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help find any COVID-19 cases in the community. The government and health experts will continue to monitor the situation closely and the Commission will continue to provide industry relevant updates as they come to hand.   

What do the latest changes mean for taxi, rideshare, hire car and other point to point transport service providers and drivers? 

  • Drivers must wear a mask at all times while in the vehicle (unless they have an exemption). This means even when a passenger is not in the vehicle
  • Passengers must wear a mask (unless they have an exemption) 
  • If exempt, evidence of the exemption must be carried at all times
  • Do not travel if you are unwell, stay home and please get tested immediately
  • Drivers must check-in using the vehicle’s NSW Government QR code at the start of the shift and they should also check out when their shift is finished
  • Drivers should encourage passengers to check-in using the NSW Government QR code in their vehicle.
  • Drivers must carry out good hygiene practices and, at least, at the end of each shift follow health and safety precautions by wiping down their vehicle’s surfaces, both inside and out.  Our website has tips for cleaning your vehicle. 
  • See our COVID-19 2021 FAQs for further information.


Providing passenger services to regional areas under stay-at-home orders

  • Drivers from an LGA under stay-at-home orders can still provide passenger services for essential reasons. 
  • Drivers who live in an LGA in regional NSW that is not under stay-at-home orders can still travel to an LGA in lockdown to provide passenger services.
  • Drivers from Greater Sydney must obtain a workers permit from Service NSW in order to travel to regional NSW, including regional areas under stay-at-home orders, for the purpose of work.

 

Other changes to regional NSW

Stay-at-home orders for Cowra LGA were lifted from Tuesday 5 October at 12:01am and for Port Macquarie LGA at 11:59pm. 
  

Stay up to date

The COVID situation in NSW continues to evolve and changes to restrictions will continue to occur.  Please continue to stay up-to-date and thank you for staying the course. 
 

Getting vaccinated is essential 

Getting vaccinated is a priority for everyone in NSW. The Commissioner encourages everyone in the point to point transport industry to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please reinforce this message with drivers and staff and encourage them to make an appointment.  

You can also go to a NSW Health vaccination site or your local GP – many options are available. A list of regional and rural NSW Health vaccination clinics is available on the NSW Government website: Vaccination clinics: Regional and rural.
  

Industry updates

The Commissioner understands this is a challenging time for everyone with change occurring regularly.  We will continue to update the industry as new information and Public Health Order updates become available.  

The Commissioner’s website and COVID-19 updates page provides further information on the stay-at-home rules and restrictions and how they apply to the Industry.